How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
(OP)
I am short of the structural intuitive power. And I am let down because of that.
How to enlarge my intuitive ability ?
1 . Solving a problem of text (ex . Meachnics of matrial)
or 2. Going to the structural field.
or 3. Modeling structure and anlysis
or 4. Native ability
Anybody can advice me how to enlarge this power.
How to enlarge my intuitive ability ?
1 . Solving a problem of text (ex . Meachnics of matrial)
or 2. Going to the structural field.
or 3. Modeling structure and anlysis
or 4. Native ability
Anybody can advice me how to enlarge this power.






RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
1) will help a little, but textbook problems are usually complete (in the real world you have to assume stuff) and idealised (real world problems usually don't present themselves in such a neat and orderly description).
2) yes, get a job (presumably you're a recent grad.) and learn.
3) no ... you shouldn't model untill you understand the subject.
4) i suspect that your "native ability" needs to be awakened by some expreience (otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question).
good luck
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
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RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
When I do structural analysis, I like to draw the model by hand, number the joints and members myself and type it all up in a batch file. After the analysis is done, I like to scrutinize the reactions and displacements to make sure everything makes sense. I am dating myself here because, back in college, this was the only way to do it - on punch cards! This might not be realistic for mass production work with extensive code checking, but it can't be beat if you just want to understand how something behaves before doing the big model. And when you are just doing a simple structure it is so easy for someone to check the analysis.
The junior engineers I work with often resist doing the analysis this way but I insist and spend a lot of time helping them to model a structure in a simple elegant way and not kill a fly with a sledge hammer. It is amazing how much time this saves in the long run.
So, to summarize, DRAW!!
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
In what area of life do you feel you have the most intuitive ability?
I mean no disrespect in suggesting your choice of profession is incorrect, but it has been my experience that people who choose a profession related to what they are naturally best at are more successful and happier in the end.
If structural engineering truly makes you happy, then I agree with what others have suggested.... get as much experience as you can, visit job sites to get a sense of scale of what you have designed and how it is constructed, sketch things out, read trade magazines, and stay involved with design organizations and websites like this.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Day dream a lot --- you will see things in different light.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
When I draw in AutoCadd, I focus more on the mechanics of drawing, rather than the engineering aspects of the structure.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
It's helpful to have a great understanding of basic mechanics, especially mechanics of material -- VQ/It, principal stresses, virtual work, etc.
Running computer models of simple problems also helps at times.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Looking, imagining, talking to colleagues, sketching, browsing at mechanics of materials texts, are amongst some of the things that really improved my structural senses. If you like doing this then your half way there.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Always dig for the real answer. Don't be snowed by others who say "We have always done it that way". The real answer could be ease of fabrication or erection, cost, function, code requirements, etc. but dig until you find out the reason. This will make you a better engineer.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
I used to draw every structure I was to analyze first by hand and then as times went on by CADD. Nowadays, if I have a really complex structure, I don't hestitate to sit down and get to work with drawings.
Based on my previous work drawing structures, I can now look at simple to moderately complex structures and 'see' all that I need to know, what is priority, and how long it should take to analyze/design.
Regards,
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RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
I would like to get some information re. these distance training courses. Can you pls give me some details.
Regards,
Clefcon
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Try google: distance learning, correspondence course, creativity training, engineering creativity, effective creativity.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Basic fundamental analysis methods are crucial, 3 examples are:
1. as noted by DRC1 learn how to judge deflection shapes and relate this to the shape of a moment diagram.
2. Basic static boundary conditions(e.g. reactions) - these do not change whether it is a solid lump or a 3d space truss so it is very important to use this to check the analysis reactions.
3. Method of sections - great for trusses and also for understanding internal forces on much more complicated structures.
Experience is key, but understanding the above will certainly help.
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Get site work. Get a feel for numbers.Register what distances on drawings means, what steel beams look like, take an interest i details.
Ask questions, even stupid ones. You will always get a story to remember it.
Daydream and visualise the problem until you find the key. Every problem has a key and you need to find it before you analyse.
Most of all, enjoy what you learn and do.
Robert Mote
www.motagg.com
RE: How to enlarge my intuitive ability ? (the structural behavior)
Academical qualifications only get you so far. You need to think laterally and "out of the box" dont feel stupid for coming out with an idea that maybe noone else agrees with and above all work on every kind of project i.e. extensions of homes to hospitals to schools to sky scrapers.
Also do a bit of glulam and sustainability
R. Murphy
MICE MIStructE MASCE